If you’re heading east on one of our UEFA EURO 2012™ packages, this short history of the competition may come in handy. A little football trivia can be really useful - especially on long journeys.
The Origins of the European Championships
Since 1960 The European Championship Finals have been contested on the even numbered year between World Cups. The first finals took place in Paris and Marseille in July 1960 and consisted of just the semi-final and the final. The USSR walked away with the title after a 2-1 extra time win thanks to a 113th minute goal by Viktor Ponedelnik.
The ‘60s and ‘70s
These two decades saw a huge increase in the popularity of the competition, and in the number of teams who entered. In 1960 just 17 teams took part, with the likes of England, Italy and West Germany preferring to stay at home. By 1978 there were a total of 32 teams taking part in the qualifying stages. Those finals in Yugoslavia were the last one to feature just four teams competing from the semi-finals stage.
The ‘60s and ‘70s were also a time of political withdrawls. In 1960 Spain refused to play against the USSR and in 1964 Greece withdrew after being drawn against Albania – a country with whom they were currently at war.
The ‘80s and ‘90s
The popularity of the competition lead to a number of changes during the early years of the 80’s. In 1980 the competition was expanded to eight teams. These made up two groups of four, the winners of which progressed to the final. The 1980 final was won by West Germany, who claimed their second title. In 1984 the competition was expanded again with the top two teams of both groups going on to contest the semi finals.
In 1992 Denmark played at the tournament in Sweden purely because Yugoslavia had been barred entry due to the fact several of the states that made up the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were fighting a civil war. The Danes went on to win the title in what ranks as the second greatest upset in the history of the Championships.
The new millennium
The ‘noughties’ were a time of sharing. In 2000 The Netherlands and Belgium were joint hosts, and in 2008 Austria and Switzerland co-hosted.
In 2004 long shots Greece picked up the trophy after being given odds as long as 150-1 before the start of the tournament. And it wasn’t a fluke. They beat hosts Portugal in the opening game of the tournament, before beating holders France and then turning Portugal over once again in the final.
The home nations at the European Championships
It’s safe to say that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland haven't fared too well at the European Championships over the years. In fact Wales and Northern Ireland have never qualified for the tournament, and Scotland have only managed it twice. And both times they failed to progress beyond the first round.
England have fared a little better over the years. They made it to the semi finals of the 1996 tournament only to lose on penalties to Germany. And then in 2004 they had to stomach a controversial defeat to Portugal in the quarters after what appeared to be a perfectly decent headed goal Sol Campbell was ruled out for a foul by John Terry on the Portuguese keeper.
Three few weird facts
The 1968 semi-final between Italy and the USSR is the only game in European Championship history to be decided on the toss of a coin. USSR captain Albert Shesternyov guessed incorrectly and Italy progressed to the final where they against Yugoslavia after a replay.
Germany were the first team to lose a penalty shootout. That was in 1976 when Antonin Panenka’s gloriously chipped shot won the final for Czechoslovakia.
Michel Platini is the only player in Euro history to score two ‘perfect hat-tricks’ (left foot goal, right foot goal, headed goal) in the finals. And what’s more he did it in two successive games at the 1984 championships: the 5-0 humbling of Belgium, and the 3-2 win over Yugoslavia.
Hosts and winners since 1960
Year Hosts - Winner
1960 France - Soviet Union
1964 Spain - Spain
1968 Italy - Italy
1972 Belgium - West Germany
1976 Yugoslavia - Czechoslovakia
1980 Italy - West Germany
1984 France - France
1988 West Germany - Netherlands
1992 Sweden - Denmark
1996 England - Germany
2000 Belgium & Holland - France
2004 Portugal - Greece
2008 Austria and Switzerland - Spain
Leading goals scorers
Player - Goals
Michel Platini - 9
Alan Shearer - 7
Nuno Gomes - 6
Thierry Henry - 6
Patrick Kluivert - 6
Ruud van Nistlerooy - 6
Milan Baros - 5
Jurgen Klinsmann - 5
Savo Milošević - 5
Marco van Basten - 5
Zinedine Zidane - 5
